Favorable Recanalization Research Articles

Impact of Day 1 carotid patency on outcome in dissection-related tandem occlusions treated with mechanical thrombectomy

The clinical benefit of mechanical thrombectomy(MT) for stroke patients with tandem occlusion is similar to that of isolated intracranial occlusions. However, the management of cervical internal carotid artery(ICA) occlusion during the MT, particularly in the setting of carotid dissection, remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of cervical ICA patency at day 1 on 3-month functional outcome. We collected data from the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke, a prospective national registry in 30 French centers performing MT between January 2015 and January 2022. Inclusion criteria were consecutive tandem occlusions related to cervical ICA dissection treated with MT. Tandem occlusions of other etiology, isolated cervical ICA occlusions without intracranial thrombus and patients without day-1 ICA imaging were excluded. Primary endpoint was the 3-month functional outcome. Secondary endpoints included intracranial hemorrhage(ICH), excellent outcome, mortality and early neurological improvement. A sensitivity analysis was performed in patients with intracranial favorable recanalization after MT. During the study period, 137 patients were included of which 89(65%) presented ICA patency at day 1. The odds of favorable outcome did not significantly differ between patients with patent and occluded ICA at day 1(68.7 vs 59.1%;aOR=1.30;95%CI 0.56-3.00,p=0.54). Excellent outcome, early neurological improvement, mortality and ICH were also comparable between groups. Sensitivity analysis showed similar results. ICA patency at day 1 in patients with tandem occlusions related to dissection did not seem to influence functional outcome. Endovascular recanalization of the cervical ICA including stenting might not be systematically required in this setting.

Predictors of futile recanalization in basilar artery occlusion patients undergoing endovascular treatment: a post hoc analysis of the ATTENTION trial.

Few studies have focused on factors associated with futile recanalization in patients with an acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) that was treated with modern endovascular therapy (EVT). The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with futile recanalization in patients with an acute BAO presented within 12 h. This is a post-hoc analysis of the ATTENTION trial (The Trial of Endovascular Treatment of Acute Basilar-Artery Occlusion, ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04751708). Demographics, clinical characteristics, acute stroke workflow interval times, and imaging characteristics were compared between the futile recanalization and favorable recanalization groups. The favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0-3 at 90 days, successful reperfusion was defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b and 3 on the final angiogram, and futile recanalization was defined as failure to achieve a favorable outcome despite successful reperfusion. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the predictors of futile recanalization. In total, 185 patients were included in the final analysis: 89 (48.1%) patients had futile recanalization and 96 (51.9%) patients had favorable recanalization. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08, p = 0.01) and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.40 to 8.01, p = 0.007) were independent predictors of futile recanalization. Futile recanalization occurred in nearly half of patients with acute BAO following endovascular treatment. Old age and diabetes mellitus were identified as independent predictors of futile recanalization after endovascular therapy for acute BAO.

The CHA2DS2-VASc risk score predicts futile recanalization after endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of the CHA2DS2-VASc score for predicting futile recanalization among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods: A total of 97 AIS patients who achieved complete or near-complete recanalization after EVT were included in our study. Clinical, angiographic, and laboratory data were analyzed retrospectively. Using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days after the intervention, the patients were divided into two groups, the futile recanalization group (mRS ≥3) and the favorable recanalization group (mRS ≤2). The receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score for predicting futile recanalization.Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis analyzed the association between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and futile recanalization risk after EVT. Results: The CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in patients with futile recanalization compared to patients with favorable recanalization [4 (3-6) vs. 3 (1-4), p=0.002]. A ROC curve analysis revealed that the cut-off value of CHA2DS2-VASc score for predicting futile recanalization was >3, with sensitivity and specificity of 65% and 72%, respectively (Area under curve (AUC), 0.697; 95% Confidence interval (CI):0.580-0.814). In multivariate analysis;the CHA2DS2- VASc score (Odds ratio (OR)=1.637, 95% CI:1.181-2.334, p=0.004) and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (OR=1.217, 95% CI:0.985-1.503, p=0.039) were found independent predictors for futile recanalization after EVT. Conclusion: The CHA2DS2-VASc score can be used as a simple and effective tool to predict futile recanalization in patients with AIS.

Mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusion using adjustable vs. self-expanding stent-retriever-Comparison of Tigertriever device with stent-like stent-retrievers: A propensity score analysis.

Stent-retrievers used for mechanical thrombectomy are self-expanding tubular stent-like devices with modified mesh structures for clot removal. Tigertriever is designed to provide manual control of its diameter and curvature. A retrospective single-center study was performed to compare Tigertriever with SolitaireX and pRESET (stent-like stent-retrievers group) using propensity score analysis. Patients treated in a comprehensive stroke center due to large vessel occlusion between January 2016 and August 2021 were evaluated. Baseline characteristics and treatment results were compared between these groups before and after pair matching. There were 140 patients (60 in Tigertriever and 80 in the stent-like stent-retriever group). In propensity score analysis, 52 matched pairs were selected in Tigertriever and stent-like stent-retriever groups. The Tigertriever group had a better successful first pass revascularization rate [46 vs. 23%, OR (95% CI): 1.7 (1.1-2.9), p = 0.013] and 14-min shorter groin-to-revascularization time (51 vs. 65 min. p = 0.017). There were no significant differences between Tigertriever and stent-like stent-retriever groups in the following: favorable mRS 3 months, favorable recanalization rate, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages. There were no observed periprocedural adverse events related to Tigertriever, SolitaireX, or pRESET. Tigertriever had a significantly better successful first pass revascularization rate and shorter groin-to-revascularization time in the analysis done before and after propensity score matching with stent-like stent-retrievers. Tigertriever is comparable to stent-like stent-retrievers regarding mortality at 3 months, favorable mRS at 3 months, favorable recanalization rate, or symptomatic cerebral hemorrhagic events.

Influence of prior intravenous thrombolysis in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy for M2 occlusions: insight from the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke (ETIS) registry

BackgroundIntravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for proximal occlusions has recently been questioned through randomized trials. However, few patients with M2 occlusions were included. We investigated...

P.194 In search of real-world neuroprotection in mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke

Background: The promise of neuroprotection for stroke remains elusive. Common medications in endovascular stroke thrombectomy have putative neuroprotective mechanisms in basic science literature. We evaluated our stroke registry for evidence that these medications have any impact on clinically meaningful outcome. Methods: A retrospective stroke thrombectomy database was evaluated for clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients receiving IV or IA tPA, Heparin, or Verapamil during procedure. Univariate analysis evaluated associations with periprocedure hemorrhage, recanalization, and functional outcomes. Results: 284 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy over 2.75 years. For periprocedural hemorrhage, IV tPA (OR 0.457, CI 0.261-0.811, p=0.008) and Heparin (1.897, CI 1.112-3.205, p=0.019) had significant relationships. No medication had impact on favorable recanalization (TICI 2b/3). Heparin had a negative impact on 90day mRS 0-2 (OR 0.563, CI 0.348-0.901, p=0.023). Favorable recanalization remains associated with favorable outcomes at 90days (OR 2.066, CI 1.063-4.069, p=0.0361). Conclusions: While the adjunctive use of 3 commonly used periprocedural medications have a logical role in the mechanical thrombectomy eg IA tPA for clot lysis, they do not have clinical benefit that represents neuroprotection. Multivariate analysis may show more effect. A role for intraarterial neuroprotective agents exists given only 45% of patients in this series achieved functional independence.

Clinical impact of the first pass effect on clinical outcomes in patients with near or complete recanalization during mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel ischemic stroke

The first pass effect has been reported as a mechanical thrombectomy (MT) success metric in patients with large vessel occlusive stroke. We aimed to compare the clinical and neuroimagign outcomes of patients who had favorable recanalization (mTICI 2c or mTICI 3) achieved in one pass versus those requiring multiple passes. In this "real-world" multicenter study, patients with mTICI 2c or 3 recanalization were identified from three prospectively collected stroke databases from January 2016 to December 2019. Clinical outcomes were a favorable functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2), and the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) any ICH, and 90-day mortality. Favorable recanalization was achieved in 390/664 (59%) of consecutive patients who underwent MT (age 71.2 ± 13.2 years, 188 [48.2%] women). This was achieved after a single thrombectomy pass (n = 290) or multiple thrombectomy passes (n = 100). The rate of favorable clinical outcome was higher (41% vs. 28 %, p = .02) in the first pass group with a continued trend on multivariate analysis that did not reaching statistical significance (OR 1.68 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.95, p = .07). Similarly, the odds of any ICH were significantly lower (OR 0.56 CI 0.32-0.97, p = .03). A similar trend of favorable clinical outcomes was noticed on subgroup analysis of patients with M1 occlusion (OR 1.81 CI 1.01-3.61, p = .08). The first-pass reperfusion was associated with a trend toward favorable clinical outcome and lower rates of ICH. These data suggest that the first-pass effect should be the mechanical thrombectomy procedure goal.

Acute Endovascular Revascularization for Patients with Common Carotid Artery Occlusion Apparent on Cervical Magnetic Resonance Angiography

ObjectivesIn the endovascular treatment of acute cerebral large-vessel occlusion, cervical magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a useful modality for assessing the access route. However, we sometimes encounter cases in which not only the internal carotid artery (ICA), but also the common carotid artery (CCA) is poorly visualized, leading to hesitation over which devices and techniques to choose for revascularization. We retrospectively evaluated such cases, focusing on image findings and treatment results. Materials and MethodsData from 96 patients who underwent acute endovascular revascularization from January 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed. We extracted patients with poor CCA visualization on cervical MRA from 35 cases with ICA occlusion, and examined angiographic findings, treatment methods, and outcomes. ResultsPoor visualization of the CCA in cervical MRA was observed in 8 cases. All cases displayed atrial fibrillation or sick sinus syndrome. Angiographic findings showed true CCA occlusion in 2 patients and ICA occlusion in 6 patients. Reasons for the inability to visualize the CCA on cervical MRA were speculated to be stenosis of the external carotid artery (ECA), presence of embolism in the ECA, or severe heart failure. In cases of true CCA occlusion, thrombus was aspirated using the balloon guide catheter and good recanalization was obtained. Seven of 8 patients displayed favorable recanalization, with good prognosis after 90 days in 5 patients. ConclusionsPoor CCA visualization on cervical MRA does not necessarily represent true CCA occlusion. Aspiration of thrombus from a balloon guide catheter is effective for true CCA occlusion.

Status of In-Hospital Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated by Mechanical Thrombectomy.

To elucidate the current state of in-hospital acute ischemic stroke under the introduction of acute-phase mechanical thrombectomy. The study included 18 consecutive patients with in-hospital cerebral infarction who underwent thrombectomy between April 2014 and March 2020 at St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital. We analyzed the primary disease, department responsible for treatment, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores before onset and on discharge, status of onset, treatment course, and so on. The mean age was 79.9 (66-93) years. There were nine females. The admission methods included scheduled admission in 5 patients and non-scheduled admission in 13 patients. The primary diseases consisted of malignant tumors in five patients and heart disease in four patients. The departments responsible for treatment consisted of the Department of Digestive Surgery for six patients and Department of Cardiology for three patients. The mRS score before admission was evaluated as 0-2 in 15 patients and 3-5 in 3 patients. The embolism was evaluated as cardiogenic in 14 patients. Antithrombotic therapy was discontinued before the onset of cerebral infarction in three patients. The mean interval from onset or last well known (LWK) until CT/MRI and puncture was 88.4 and 157.6 minutes. The median Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS; minimum-maximum) was 8 (2-10). Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was administered to five patients. Concerning the degree of recanalization, the thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) grade was evaluated as 1 to 2a in 2 patients and 2b to 3 in 16. In the latter, the mean interval from onset or final onset-free confirmation until recanalization was 197.7 minutes. mRS score on discharge was evaluated as 0-2 in four patients, 3-5 in nine, and 6 in five patients. The mortality was related to a primary disease requiring admission in three patients. In-hospital onset cerebral infarction was markedly influenced by the primary disease requiring admission. Even when favorable recanalization was achieved, the number of patients with a favorable outcome was small.

Endovascular Recanalization of Symptomatic Nonacute Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion: Proposal of a New Angiographic Classification.

The optimal treatment for symptomatic nonacute intracranial ICA occlusion is uncertain, and endovascular recanalization remains a technical challenge. Our purpose was to report multicenter clinical results of endovascular recanalization for medically refractory, nonacute, intracranial ICA occlusion and to propose a new angiographic classification to explore which subgroups of patients are most amenable to this treatment. From January 2015 to December 2019, thirty-six consecutive patients who underwent endovascular recanalization for refractory, nonacute, atherosclerotic intracranial ICA occlusion at 3 stroke centers were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 3 types according to an angiographic classification. Rates of technical success, periprocedural complications, and any stroke or death within 30 days along with follow-up results were evaluated. The overall technical success rate was 80.6% (29/36), and the rate of any stroke or death within 30 days was 16.7% (6/36). The recanalization success rate gradually decreased from type I to type III in the 3 classification groups (92.9%, 81.3%, and 50%, P = .038), and the opposite was true of the perioperative complication rates (7.1%, 18.8%, and 50%, P = .038). Type I lesions showed favorable recanalization effects, 92.9% technical success rates, and 7.1% perioperative complications. Endovascular recanalization for nonacute atherosclerotic intracranial ICA occlusion is technically feasible, especially in patients with type I lesions, and could offer an alternative option for patients with recurrent ischemic symptoms despite aggressive medical therapy. The angiographic classification proposed is conducive to the selection of suitable patients and difficulty in grading.

Influence of atrial fibrillation detection time on outcome after endovascular thrombectomy

BackgroundCardiac emboli secondary to atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly cause large vessel occlusions (LVO) that require endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) to restore cerebral circulation. Whether the outcome of patients with AF diagnosed after the index stroke (newAF) differs from that of AF-patients in which AF was known before stroke (kAF) remains unknown. Patients and methodsConsecutive LVO patients treated with EVT were recruited and the data was analyzed retrospectively. We compared patients with newAF to those with kAF and those without AF. ResultsAmong 230 patients included, 109 (47%) had AF (86 kAF, 23 newAF). Patients with kAF more often had prior strokes compared with those with newAF (20% vs. 4% p = 0.04) but other parameters did not differ between the groups. Both AF groups were significantly older, more often reached favorable recanalization and less often had favorable outcomes compared to those without AF. On multivariate analyses, timing of AF detection did not influence survival (Odds Ration [OR] 0.89 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.28–1.90), chances for favorable recanalization (OR 1.2 95% CI 0.44–3.26) or favorable outcome 1.32 (95% CI 0.57–3.05). ConclusionsTiming of AF diagnosis does not appear to influence outcome in patients with LVO that underwent EVT.

More than five stentriever passes: real benefit or futile recanalization?

Clot extraction is associated with favorable outcome in patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, whether revascularization becomes futile or harmful with an increasing number of passes remains unknown. We performed a retrospective analysis of 271 consecutive patients with LVO who underwent stentriever-based EVT as the primary recanalization strategy. Primary outcomes including favorable recanalization, survival, and favorable functional outcomes were compared according to a dichotomized number of stentriever passes utilized with a cutoff of 4. In the entire cohort, 234 (86%) patients reached favorable recanalization and 46 (17%) patients had ≥ 5 passes (range 5-40). Patients that had ≤ 4 passes had significantly higher rates of favorable recanalization and favorable outcomes and a trend towards lower mortality rates compared with those that had ≥ 5 stentriever passes (92% vs. 61%; p < 0.001, 52% vs. 30%; p = 0.009 and 12% vs. 22%, p = 0.098). Among patients that received ≥ 5 stentriever passes, 30% reached favorable outcomes. Patients who achieved recanalization after ≥ 5 passes had higher rates of favorable outcome in comparison with those who did not (p = 0.009). Among patients that had ≥ 5 stentriever passes favorable recanalization (OR 97.3, 95%CI 2.8-3399.3) and admission NIHSS (OR 0.77, 95%CI 0.60-0.99) remained independent predictors of favorable outcome, whereas the number of passes did not. A substantial proportion of patients reach favorable outcomes even when ≥ 5 stentriever passes are performed. Treatment choices should be individualized based on personal preferences and expertise as well as on patient and clot-specific characteristics.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Adequacy and Outcome after Endovascular Thrombectomy

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) often leads to large vessel occlusions (LVO) which may necessitate endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Whether the adequacy of treatment with oral anticoagulants (OAC) prior to LVO modifies outcomes remains unknown. Patients and MethodsConsecutive EVT-treated LVO patients were recruited and the data was analyzed retrospectively. We combined patients with known AF that were untreated with OAC or inadequately treated with those with new-onset AF to form a group of undertreated-AF patients and compared them to adequately treated AF patients. ResultsOf the 230 patients included, 109 (47%) had AF (86 known AF, 23 new-onset AF). AF patients were significantly older and more often reached favorable recanalization but less often had favorable outcomes compared to those without AF. Most patients with known AF (76%) were inadequately treated at stroke onset. Patients with undertreated-AF more often received tPA prior to EVT (26% vs. 4% p=0.009), more often had favorable collaterals (65% vs. 33% p<0.001) and more often reached favorable outcomes (28% vs. 9%, p=0.047) compared to adequately treated AF patients. On multivariate analyses adequately treated AF did not impact survival (Odds Ration [OR] 0.89 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.23-3.43), chances for favorable recanalization (OR 0.57 95%CI 0.15-2.13) or favorable outcome (OR 5.95 95%CI 0.62-57.39). ConclusionsTreatment adequacy does not affect the rates of favorable functional outcome or survival in AF patients with LVO.

Abstract TP185: Impact of Age on Revascularization and Early Outcomes Post Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Strokes with Large Vessel Occlusion; A Single Center Real World Data Analysis

Background: Recently, five randomized control trials have demonstrated superiority of endovascular therapy (ET) to medical management in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO). Some concerns have arisen in subset and meta analyses of the pivotal trials regarding the negative effect of advanced age (&gt;80 years) on outcomes after ET. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with proven LVO who underwent ET was conducted from January 2015 to June 2016. Patients were divided in two groups based on age (≤80 and &gt;80 years) and were analyzed for degree of revascularization (TICI score) and functional status at discharge using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Fifty-four patients received ET during the study period. Those who had posterior circulation LVO and/or treated after 6 hours from last known normal were excluded, leaving 34 patients for final analysis. Twenty-two (64%) patients were ≤80 and 12 (36%) were &gt;80. Seventy-seven percent of patients ≤ 80 had favorable recanalization (TICI ≥ 2b) while 66 % of patients &gt; 80 had TICI ≥ 2b ( p value 0.69). Of patients &gt;80 years, 0 % had a mRS ≤2 at discharge versus 36.3% ≤80 years ( p value 0.03). Similarly, 25% of patients &gt; 80 and 54.5% of ≤80 had mRS 3 or 4 ( p value 0.15). Only 9% of ≤ 80 had mRS &gt;4, as compared to &gt;80 at 75% ( p value &lt;0.01). No statistically significant differences were found in the average time to revascularization, admitting NIHSS or administration of tPA. Conclusion: Age above 80 is a predictor of poor outcome after ET irrespective of successful recanalization. Our results confirm the questions raised in previous subset analyses. The reason octogenarians do poorly remains unclear, but our data suggests factors other than TICI score and time to revascularization. Although ET has shown superiority in AIS with LVO, further consideration and careful selection is recommended in patients above age of 80. More focused randomized control trials are needed to get a definitive answer.

Determination of the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Length in Acute Stroke: Contribution of 4D CT Angiography and Importance for Thrombolytic Efficacy Prediction

To assess the benefit of 4D-CT angiography (4D-CTA) in determination and precise measurement of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in comparison to CTA. Possible relationship of measured occlusion lengths with recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis was analysed as a second objective. Detailed evaluation of complete MCA occlusions in 80 patients before intravenous thrombolysis using temporal maximum intensity projection (tMIP) dataset, calculated from 4D-CTA and conventional single-phase CTA was performed. Further, manual measurement technique was compared to results of semiautomatic procedure (vessel analysis) as reference. Statistical analysis of correlation between MCA occlusion length and IVT efficacy (24 h recanalization rate according modified Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction criteria-mTIMI) was performed. The distal end of occlusion was identified in all patients using tMIP, but only in 48 patients (60%) using CTA. The manual measurement method was not statistically different and well correlated with reference tMIP-vessel analysis. (15.4 vs. 16.3 mm; p = 0.434; r = 97). In measurable occlusions by CTA, no significant difference was proved in manually measured lengths using tMIP and CTA (14.5 vs. 13.3 mm; p = 0.089). Favorable recanalization (mTIMI 2-3) was achieved in 37 patients (47%). Length of occlusion in M1 segment (p = 0.002) and M2 segment involvement (p = 0.017) were proved as independent negative predictors of recanalization. Using receiver operating characteristics analysis, the cutoff length of the M1 segment occlusion for favorable recanalization was found to be 12 mm. The feasibility of MCA occlusion assessment using tMIP datasets and benefit over conventional CTA were confirmed. The manual measurement method was proved as feasible and simple with good correlation to reference semiautomatic analysis. The significant correlation of the MCA occlusion length and early recanalization was found. The length of 12 mm was recognized as cut-off length for favorable recanalization.